Spirit of Iberia cruise around Med, excursions recommendations?

Doing the Spirit of Iberia cruise, leaving and returning to Malaga it visits...

Porto - PORTUGAL

Lisbon - PORTUGAL

Portimao - PORTUGAL

Cadiz (for Seville) - SPAIN

Gibraltar - GIBRALTAR.

Any recommendations for excursions on this stops please? So TUI ones or own?

Would like to go to top of rock to see the monkeys and views, warned off someone to do official tour as hard to get back down.

Anything else a must do please?

Thanks

There are lots of mini vans at the cruise entrance that do trips up the Rock. They stop at the Pillars of Hercules, St Michael's Cave, The Military Tunnels then the top of the Rock. The price includes entrance fees and they will drop you off at the main shopping area on the way back or at the cruise terminal. We used them last time and they are great value and the drivers very informative, our driver even got one of the apes to sit on each of our shoulders while photos were taken after feeding it with some seeds. I would highly recommend this trip

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Doing the Spirit of Iberia cruise, leaving and returning to Malaga it visits...

Porto - PORTUGAL

Lisbon - PORTUGAL

Portimao - PORTUGAL

Cadiz (for Seville) - SPAIN

Gibraltar - GIBRALTAR.

 

Any recommendations for excursions on this stops please? So TUI ones or own?

 

Would like to go to top of rock to see the monkeys and views, warned off someone to do official tour as hard to get back down.

 

Anything else a must do please?

Thanks

 

Can't help with Portimao apart from saying it is a tender boat to shore there then walkable into Portimao or the beach at Praia de Rocha. However, hope the following info on your other ports may be of interest:-

 

GIBRALTAR - If you want to do the Rock Tour there are 8 seater minibuses waiting outside the cruise terminal; cost is 26 Pounds compared with 40 Pounds for the similar Thomson excursion (can be even cheaper if you take a taxi tour from Casemate Square). If you want to shop on Main Street it is a 15 minutes walk from the port to Casemate Square at the bottom of Main Street (the cable car is right up at the opposite end) or the port provides a shuttle bus to Casemate Square at a cost last year of 4 Pounds return. Remember that you may get some Gibraltan Pounds in your change and, as these are not legal tender in the UK, spend them before leaving. Also beware that there are a lot of fake cigarettes for sale so, if you are a smoker, the best place to buy tobacco is at Morrisons.

CADIZ - The old city is only a 5 minutes walk from the port; it is a fascinating maze of narrow streets/shops with a gold domed beautiful Cathedral and good inside/outside narket. A HOHO bus runs from the port gates but isn't very interesting as it mainly just goes back and forth along the same stretch of beach; it cannot enter the old city as the streets are too narrow.

VALENCIA - The beautiful city is 5km inland from the port so either take the ships shuttle bus that costs 7 Pounds return or get the local bus from outside the port gates that costs a couple of Euros each way. If you like Lladro pottery you can do a factory tour; the tour is free but you need to pre-book a tour in English in advance. A taxi from the port to the factory should cost around 15 Euros. The Valencia Aquarium is also fascinating.

 

PORTO - The port is a 25 minute drive from Porto so the ship lays on a shuttle bus - return fare was 7 Pounds per person last year. This drops you off at the top of the city so you need to walk downhill past the railway station (call inside the station to see an amazing display of traditional local blue and white picture tiling) and Cathedral to drop to the river - for people with walking difficulties there is a rather well hidden funicular that runs from a side road just below/on the opposite side of the road to the Cathedral that takes you down to the river (fare last year was 2 Euros each way). To get the the river boats just cross the bridge to the far side of the river - these are good value and most trips end with an optional tour of one of the local Port Wine lodges. A HOHO bus operates around the city but not all will return you to the port area despite drivers saying they do! A local company - 'Tours 4 Cruisers' offer a very good value city tour for 17 Euros per person - it generally operates whenever a ship is in port and tickets can either be pre-booked on line or see their rep at the port gates where the coach leaves from; a free shuttle bus will take you from the ship to the port gates. One ship excursion we can highly recommend is 'Taste of Porto' - a city tour by bus, stop at the Cathedral then a 40 minute boat trip on the river followed by a tour and tasting at one one the Port Wine lodges. The link for tours4cruisers is here http://tours4cruisers.com/en/

 

LISBON - The first time we docked in Lisbon we jumped on one of the old local trams (think San Francisco style) that was cheap, brilliant ans took us to parts of the city we would have missed otherwise. The second time we took the HOHO buses - there are 2 routes. You can get on a bus for the first route right outside the cruise terminal but we didn't find this very interesting - went round and round the new museum area of the marina then up to the airport. You need to go to the main square (15 minutes walk from the port) to get a bus for the second route but it is well worth it as the tour was very interesting taking in many of the cities most famous sites. Tuk tuk tours are popular but pick one up outside the cruise terminal rather than booking the more expensive Thomson tour. Last time we did the ships trip to Sintra and Cascais which was interesting and nice to get out of the city. Tours 4 Cruisers also do a trip in Lisbon - see their web site for the schedule as it does not operate every day.

 

MALAGA

It is a 1.5 km walk from the cruise terminal to the port gates so a shuttle bus is provided at a cost of 5 Euros. If you feel energetic and want to walk through the port you will pass the recently built 'Muelle Uno' ('Pier One') bar. restaurant and shops development that is a good place to break your journey. When you get to the port gates go straight across 2 roads (the second is Malagas main artery the Avenida Alameda Principal) and you will be in the heart of the old city. SHOPPING - Malaga is a great place for a bit of retail therapy - the main shopping street is the pedestrianized Calle Larios. As well as all the well known international stores, and the big Spanish department store El Corte Ingles, the city is home to many artisan shops many of which specialise in local food produce, hand crafted Silverware and Flamenco clothing. Larger stores and the market are closed on Sundays but some smaller/privately owned shops do open. ARAB BATHS - Missed by most visitors to Malaga the Arab baths are a great place to unwind and be massaged by experts using centuries old techniques. GIBRALFARO CASTLE - Bus 35 from the Parque de Malaga (park opposite the port) will take you right up the hill to the Gibralfaro Castle entrance. Soaring over the city, the 14th century castle was built to defend the citadel and provides spectacular views over Malaga bay and over the Bullring. After visiting the Castle walk back down the hill for less than 5 minutes and you will come to the entrance of the Parador Hotel - a really lovely place to stop for a Coffee break; you can get the bus back into the city centre from outside the Parador gates. ALCAZABA - Situated below the Gibralfaro Castle is the Alcazaba, a fascinating Moorish Citadel with many features similar to those found at the Alhambra in Granada (but without the crowds!). You can buy a reduced price joint entrance ticket for both Gibralfaro and the Alcazaba. ROMAN THEATRE RUINS AND DIG - Situated at the base of the Alcazaba, visitors are now allowed to walk through the ongoing archaeological Dig to get a closer look at the ruins; closed Mondays. CATHEDRAL - A truly spectacular building known as the One Armed Lady as only one tower was built - probably due to lack of funds but legend has it that money for the second tower was sent to rebel US forces to help them in their battle against the Brits in the War of Independence. Next to the Cathedral is the Bishops Palace Square which is a great place to sit and people watch. MUSEUMS - Malaga is home to far too many museums to list them all but these are my particular favourites:-Picasso Museum, Carmen Thyssen Museum, Glass + Crystal Museum and Motor Museum/Fashion Museum. TAPAS BARS - Malaga is a Foodies paradise. You are spoiled for choice of high class restaurants but, for us, Tapas is the only way to go. Definitely try the local speciality 'Fritura Malaguena' which is a delicious mix of deep fried small fish. Just follow locals into a bar and you won't go far wrong. CHURROS - Churros are deep fried Donut-like fingers served with very thick Hot Chocolate or Coffee (dunking is compulsory lol!) can be found in many of Malagas traditional bars but Casa Aranda is a Churros institution visited by people from all over the world. BEACHES - If walking around a city isn't your thing, Malaga has several beaches close to the city centre. The best known is La Malagueta Beach about 5 minutes walk from the port entrance - the beach is especially popular with locals and is fringed with some good Chiringuitos (beach bar/restaurants).. HOHO BUS - The sightseeing tour bus stops immediately outside the port gates and takes you all around the city including a trip up to Gibralfaro Castle. MALAGA PARK/PARQUE DE MALAGA - Situated just across the road outside the port gates (and by the drop off point for the ****tle bus) this is an oasis in the city. Parakeets, Tropical Trees, small childrens play area and peace + quiet make this a lovely place to relax.

Great info thanks for that. So worth not doing the Thomson and do the mini bus at cruise terminal instead, for Gibraltar one?

All I had read was it's hard to get back down in time from rock, as really busy and people have missed their cruise before!

Take it you can get off bus at top and spend some time, or do you stick with the same bus? If so how long in total is the tour? Sounds better than the Thomson one with all the stops as well.

Great info thanks for that. So worth not doing the Thomson and do the mini bus at cruise terminal instead, for Gibraltar one?

 

All I had read was it's hard to get back down in time from rock, as really busy and people have missed their cruise before!

 

Take it you can get off bus at top and spend some time, or do you stick with the same bus? If so how long in total is the tour? Sounds better than the Thomson one with all the stops as well.

You stay with the same bus - tour time 1.5-2 hours.

Great info thanks for that. So worth not doing the Thomson and do the mini bus at cruise terminal instead, for Gibraltar one?

 

All I had read was it's hard to get back down in time from rock, as really busy and people have missed their cruise before!

 

Take it you can get off bus at top and spend some time, or do you stick with the same bus? If so how long in total is the tour? Sounds better than the Thomson one with all the stops as well.

I live in Gibraltar. I have not visited as a cruise passenger but I will try to answer.

The taxi tours are good value - and take a couple of hours. You can ask them to drop you off in town, or I suppose back at the port. I have never heard of anyone being dropped off up the rock, unless they perhaps want to add the tower of homage (Moorish Castle) to the tour (not sure if it is included anyway) and choose to walk down. It is not really that far to walk into town through the old town from the tower.

It can get busy up the Rock if there is more than one ship in port, but your taxi driver would know not to attempt the route. People don't get left behind.

To be honest Campo Lady I don't know of fake cigarettes. I have never heard of any local person saying that they have to be careful of buying fakes. I cannot imagine where they would be sold. As long as tourists buy in Main Street they should be fine. If anyone has information otherwise let me know and I will modify my recommendations accordingly.

The HoHo bus is a great way to get around Lisbon - there are some stops where the two routes come together and you can switch over.

We got off at the top end of the King Edward VII park and walked down to the bottom where one of these the interchanges was located.

Click on the "more details" link here for downloadable map - https://city-sightseeing.com/en/80/lisbon

Lovely restaurant and outdoor cafe part way down the park where you can have a drink or a meal - has a pond with all types of water fowl, and a black swan when we visited.

Health Warning ref. Gibraltatr - leave hats, handbags and carrier bags etc. in the people carrier / taxi when you get to the top of the rock where the apes hang out, or they may have them off you and leg it in double quick time !!!

Foodstuffs are especially risky - I experienced a wee lad come out of the souvenir shop with a bag of crisps which were liberated from his grasp quicker than the human eye could register !!!

To be honest Campo Lady I don't know of fake cigarettes. I have never heard of any local person saying that they have to be careful of buying fakes. I cannot imagine where they would be sold. As long as tourists buy in Main Street they should be fine. If anyone has information otherwise let me know and I will modify my recommendations accordingly.

Thank you Ollienbertsmum for the correction - there is nothing better than information from local residents and in future I will just accept the regular reports of cheap Chinese copies being sold in Gib as Spanish press sensationalism. I will remove the warning from my draft info immediately (sadly I cannot remove it from my post on this thread)..

Hi Brenda when we went to portimao we docked,you just walk into town along a prom and go left to the shops, the market should have been on but it was Bastille day and a lot of places shut,I even fished in the harbour and caught some mullet with a English builder who lives there,right in the port there is a local who walks around naked and people from the cruise were getting their pictures with him ,strange eh,

Hi Brenda when we went to portimao we docked,you just walk into town along a prom and go left to the shops, the market should have been on but it was Bastille day and a lot of places shut,I even fished in the harbour and caught some mullet with a English builder who lives there,right in the port there is a local who walks around naked and people from the cruise were getting their pictures with him ,strange eh,

Good to hear from you! Thanks for the Portimao info - when we did the 'Spirit of Iberia' itinerary we docked at Huelv instead of Portimao although we have visited there on a land based holiday.

The naked man sounds a real character - theres nowt so queer as folk lol!!!

Hope you are both well.

Good to hear from you! Thanks for the Portimao info - when we did the 'Spirit of Iberia' itinerary we docked at Huelv instead of Portimao although we have visited there on a land based holiday.

 

The naked man sounds a real character - theres nowt so queer as folk lol!!!

 

Hope you are both well.

Yes we are both ok and I hope you both have a good one on the last spirt sailing,

Yes we are both ok and I hope you both have a good one on the last spirt sailing,

Good to hear you are OK - we have 2 cruises booked for later this year (Spirit in October and Dream in December) so thats a couple of things to look forward to as long as Ian behaves himself health wise.

Want to book something for my 60th next year too but, 67 days after we left the ship and despite heaven knows how many phone calls and emails, we are still waiting for a repayment of a double charge the ship (Discovery) took for a meal in 'Surf and Turf' in May! Ian will not consider booking with Marella again until we get the money back (it has probably cost us more than the 59 Pounds in phone calls but it is a matter of principal for him lol).

Hope to see you again sometime.

Agree with others.Taxi rock tours are excellent and value for money.We were dropped off in centre of town.Your with the same taxi/ mini bus for all of the tour.Never heard of anyone being left up the top apart from the Apes.After drop off in centre,plenty time for Mrs Jim The Scot to engage in some retail therapy time,we had a drink then got the shuttle bus from centre gates back to ship

For tobacco and cigs,best place and cheapest is the port shop

Hi Brenda when we went to portimao we docked,you just walk into town along a prom and go left to the shops, the market should have been on but it was Bastille day and a lot of places shut

I'm curious to know why a Portuguese town would celebrate a pivotal date in French history ?

Maybe 14th July was a local holiday there that day ?

I'm curious to know why a Portuguese town would celebrate a pivotal date in French history ?

 

Maybe 14th July was a local holiday there that day ?

We asked in a cafe and a shop and they both said the same its. Bastille day,unless it means something else,

We asked in a cafe and a shop and they both said the same its. Bastille day,unless it means something else,

Strange.

I'm curious to know why a Portuguese town would celebrate a pivotal date in French history ?

 

Maybe 14th July was a local holiday there that day ?

Strang as it was in May looking back ? I will see if I can find anything out I see my mate on Friday who was born in Madeira .

Portimao - Last November, we docked at the terminal, which for walking purposes, is virtually equi-distant from Portimao(to the right) and Prai de Rocha (to the left) from port gates